ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and reviewed ongoing development projects. The minister was briefed in detail on various projects, including the HVAC system and ongoing improvements at the hospital besides the new cancer hospital, trauma centre, emergency department, MCH and laboratory facilities. Kamal said the existing emergency department at PIMS …
Kamal reviews PIMS development projects
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and reviewed ongoing development projects.
The minister was briefed in detail on various projects, including the HVAC system and ongoing improvements at the hospital besides the new cancer hospital, trauma centre, emergency department, MCH and laboratory facilities.
Kamal said the existing emergency department at PIMS was being upgraded in line with modern healthcare requirements, adding that a new trauma centre had been constructed at a cost of Rs 7.5 billion after three previously scattered emergency facilities were consolidated at one location.
He said the 205-bed state-of-the-art cancer hospital was being constructed at PIMS at a cost of around Rs10 billion and was expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2027.
The minister said PIMS previously had only 11 beds dedicated to cancer patients, adding that the new facility would significantly expand cancer-care capacity.
He said the cancer hospital project had been under consideration since 2018, but work was delayed due to shortcomings in the first and second PC-I documents and subsequent closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD).
He added that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) subsequently took up construction work, while he personally contacted Interior Minister to help accelerate the project.
Kamal said repair and renovation work at the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) would be completed by November 15.
Regarding laboratory services, he said PIMS was moving towards a partnership with a private company under which patients would be able to get diagnostic tests at the hospital without additional expenditure, eliminating the need to send tests outside the facility.
The minister said the government was also providing free hepatitis testing, with a test costing around Rs 7,000 being offered without charge.
He said around 70,000 tests had already been conducted, while medicines worth Rs 34,000 were also being provided free of cost to eligible patients.
Kamal said Pakistan had around 11 million hepatitis patients and warned that the disease could progress to liver cancer if left untreated.
He urged people above 12 years of age to undergo hepatitis screening and benefit from the free testing facility.
The minister stressed that modern medical infrastructure and facilities alone were not sufficient, saying respect, compassion and courteous treatment of patients were equally essential components of a quality healthcare system.
